Date: 8th May 2014 at 1:42pm
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Our title challenge was maintained right to the last week of the season. Last season we finished 14 points off the top, and realistically the challenge ended in early spring. Whilst it has been frustrating that points dropped against teams at the bottom of the table in the last few weeks has cost us the title, it has been good to be back in the hunt. With new signings over the summer, I am sure Jose will win it next season.

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The Defence

As we would expect with a Jose Mourinho team, he has sorted out the defence this season. The back five have all performed brilliantly this season as evidenced by Cech, Brana and Cahill all being named in the Premier League team of the year. But the real revelation has been Azpilicueta who although playing out of position as right back, has probably been Chelsea’s most improved player this season. The most significant aspect has perhaps been the return to form of both Cech and John Terry – back to their very best this season. Worth a contract extension as their experience has clearly helped. Title winning teams are built on solid foundations – just ask Liverpool – so keeping the defence in tact will be crucial to the title challenge next season!

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The Champions League

We knew it was going to be somewhat of a transitional season this year. A league title was always a possibility but did many of us really expect to be 30 minutes away from another Champions League final? Not me. I thought that we’d get through the group stages, but was never confident that we’d go much further. A superb second leg display against PSG exceeded expectations and in the longer term will do many of the new younger players in the squad the power of good – remember we beat PSG with many of the old guard missing. Losing to Atletico Madrid was no disgrace and again, will only serve to add experience to the players coming through and hopefully make them hungry to go one better next season.

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Jose Mourinho

Ignore the media, opposition fans and a minority of our own fans who can only be described as plastic – all real Chelsea supporters are delighted that we have the best manager in football back at the club. Not only that, he seems to have bought in to the long term plan for the club and has managed a season of transition whilst still competing in both the Premier and Champions League. His tactics are superb – who else would have master-minded wins away at City and Liverpool and destroyed Spurs and Arsenal at home. The contempt he shows for the media and referees echoes entirely the feelings of Chelsea supporters. For me this season he has proved yet again that he is one of us. He is the only manager that I trust to manage a difficult situation at Chelsea currently with a change of style; the gradual moving out of the old guard and spine of the team; and taking on ego’s who don’t have the team ethic or are prepared to die for the shirt, club and fans. He’ll also be instrumental in attracting top players to the club this summer – if you’re a player he is a manager you want to play for in the knowledge that you will win trophies – and that is what it is all about.

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The Enemies of Football

Apparently and judging by social media all of the neutrals hate us – well they would, they all support Liverpool don’t they! The Media hate us – never ever passing up the opportunity to have a dig at us, belittle us or just plain slander us. The FA hate us – judging by the nonsensical and draconian punishments and fines dished out to Jose this season – I mean how can you fine someone for being sarcastic – it beggars belief doesn’t it. UEFA have always hated us – that’s just a given! Our rivals hate us – well I would expect nothing less, but the loathing and frothing at the mouth at the mere mention of Chelsea within earshot of a Scouser or a latte drinking Gooner leads to a meltdown that would make Chernobyl look like a picnic! All together now – Chelsea Scum; Chavski; No Class; No History; Plastic Flags; Plastic Fans; nothing Pre-Roman. Pitiful and hilarious in equal measure. Basically, no one likes us. But do we really care? Not a bit of it. If we are universally loathed and hated, for me it means we are doing something right, or more specifically we are winning and are perceived as a major threat. As Oscar Wilde said, it is far better to be talked about than to be ignored, and football is not a popularity contest, it’s about winning. We’ll leave the beauty parade to Arsenal and delight in the fact that we have been ruining football since 2003!

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No Rafa!

Last season was terrible for many Chelsea supporters. We endured treachery from those who run the club when they appointed a manager most Chelsea supporters hated. Whilst he did deliver a Champions League place and the Europa Cup – for which he deserves some thanks, he was and would never be accepted by Chelsea supporters with his obvious love of all things Liverpool; his arrogance; his self-aggrandizement; poor tactics; worse substitutions. He clearly gave up on a title challenge in order to fluff up his CV and enjoyed a fair amount of luck against poor sides in the Europa Cup, not to mention some truly dreadful performances against the likes of Reading, Southampton, Swansea, QPR and blowing Chelsea’s best chance of a World Club Cup. Stamford Bridge has been a far far happier and more united place this season with him gone!

 

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